Eastenders/Soap Opera - Contextual Studies

Objectives:
-Analysis of the soap as genre.
-Codes and conventions of soap genre.
-Some possible critical approaches.

Genre elements to watch for:

mise en scene-
-How many locations?
-real or studio?
-Communal spaces?

Camera and Sound-
-Single or multi-camera?
-Diegetic or non-diegetic sound?

Narrative and genre conventions?
-Realistic characters or stereotypes?
-Acting naturalistic or exaggerated?

A soap opera almost always uses family issues and dramas

It originated in the USA and was aimed at the housewife audience.

Sponsored by detergent companies, hence the name.

Serial Drama is a plot that will evolve every day, we are never sure when the story will end.

Series Drama is one that will eventually end, we are more likely to know the plot.

Soap opera technical conventions.

Multi Camera, because it saves time and means its cheaper.

Limited sets

Diegetic sound
Early soaps transmitted live or recorded as live.

Narrative conventions:
Episodic format -30 minutes which end on cliffhangers
Repetition - relies on stock characters and location which are used in almost every episode
Resolution - Serial form, means that they are constantly evolving. plots may take weeks/months/even years to resolve.

Melodrama or soap?
Pathos
Overweight emotion

Moral polarization (Thinks are black/white)
Coincidence.

Common soap conventions
- BIRTH/MARRIAGES/DEATHS
- LOVE TRIANGLES

Symbolic conventions
- Classic social realist
- limited sets keep the continuity

Realism - Are they realistic?  Changing forms, teen soaps such as hollyoaks, soap influence on reality TV.
Representation - Challenge of diversity vs stereotypes, changing social attitudes.
Reception theory - How the audiences consume soaps - uses and gratification ( Contract between producers and viewers)

Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratification:
- Diversion - escapism
- Personal relationships - Social interaction
- Personal Identity  - Audience identification
- Surveillance - Programme informs or challenges our world view on topical or social issues.